Last updated on January 31st, 2023 at 04:13 am

In 1932, Australia found itself in a “war” with a formidable opponent- the Emu. These flightless birds could easily outmaneuver the Australian army and caused considerable damage to crops and property. The ordeal sounds ridiculous, but these events are entirely accurate.

The emus won a decisive victory over the Australian forces, proving that they are no pushovers. However, what led to this unlikely victory for the flightless bird, and how could an entire army suffer an embarrassing defeat? Keep reading to learn more about the Great Emu War.

Setting the Stage

The Great Emu War started after the end of World War I. Australian soldiers were returning home from the battlefields of Europe. Before being drafted, these had typical jobs as farmers, shepherds, and laborers. They were now returning to the same line of work, but unfortunately, there were few jobs.

Things only got worse for the Australian economy when the Great Depression began. The country needed an economic stimulus, and many thought that could come through agriculture. So, the government offered some reprieve for the hardships by creating a “soldier settlement scheme” across Australia.

During this effort, over 5,000 ex-troops were supplied a plot of land, mainly in the areas of Perth. With this land allocation, ex-soldiers needed to raise sheep and cultivate wheat. The Australian government bought approximately 90,000 hectares of land but realized that they needed even more to realize their vision.

The government also supplied them with initial funds and equipment, but it was insufficient. The farmers quickly realized that they could not simply rely on traditional farming methods to be successful. Moreover, the lands the government provided them with were unsuitable for establishing prosperous farms, even for those who had plenty of experience.

However, that didn’t slow the government’s efforts. Unfortunately, this plan was doomed from the start. The plummeting prices of wheat and lack of promised wheat subsidies destroyed any chance of success.

Wildlife Control Operations

The Australian government is notorious for its “culling” or “control” operations of various species to protect the agricultural industry and prevent any significant financial losses caused by pests. Historically, they’ve released potentially damaging and invasive species into the wild; unfortunately, the Australian government has no idea the damage they’ve caused until it’s too late.

For example, take the Cane Toad, a species of massive, toxic toads meant to control beetle populations. While they may have performed their initial job, the Cane Toad is now invading the Queensland area, and its population is estimated to be in the billions.